He opened the last door. “This is our room. You can add things as you like and rearrange furniture.” He set the valise on the bed.
She surveyed the large room. Her three trunks were there and pushed along the outside wall. The bed appeared to have fresh sheets on it. The furniture included a bedside table, a washstand, an armoire, a chair, and a large chest. She thought the light-colored wood was oak.
“I don’t use much of the storage. People I bought the house from couldn’t take the furniture with them because it’s so heavy.”
“It’s lovely but I can see why they had to leave it. The pieces look like they would cost a fortune to ship and would weigh down a wagon. Ah, this room has curtains on the windows.” She was glad to see them even though they were ugly.
He looked at them as if surprised they were there. “You want me to wait in the parlor a few minutes while you get ready for bed?”
She felt her face heat with a blush. “Please. I’m trying not to be shy around you but I’m not there yet.”
He left the room and closed the door softly behind him. Goodness, Mina was a bundle of nerves and misgivings. She didn’t know this man well enough to be intimate with him. He had the right to expect his wife to act like a wife. Hadn’t the minister made that clear?
Besides, she wanted children and how else would she have them? Another besides was that Cindy had told her she’d come to enjoy the coupling. She trusted her cousin enough to believe all her advice... mostly.
Mina took a deep breath and opened her valise to bring out her nightgown. Instead, she found a beautiful new one of fine fabric trimmed with delicately embroidered flowers around the yoke. A note from Cindy was on top.
Dear Mina,
This is my special gift to you—and to Austin. It’s very romantic. I know you’re a bit shy but you’ll be glad you wore this for as long as it stays on!
With much love,
Your favorite cousin
Mina could visualize Cindy giggling as she traded the gowns and included the note. Mina held the new garment by the shoulders. Good heavens, Austin would be able to see through it. Could she dare wear such a scandalous nightgown?
She had to because that imp Cindy had kept the old one. Either she’d wear her shift or this gown. With a sigh, she undressed and donned the beautiful nightgown. It was so soft she felt like a princess—an exposed one.
Wait until she saw her cousin. Mina would give Cindy a piece of her mind.
***
Mina woke because of faint noises from the other part of the house. Austin was up and that meant Spuds probably was, too. She finished her toilette and dressed quickly, conscious of a few new twinges from joining with her groom.
Austin truly was her husband now, just like the Bible said. Cleaving only to each other they were now one. She couldn’t help smiling to herself as she realized Cindy had been right. Once she’d relaxed she hadn’t minded Austin’s touch. At all! She sensed the heat of a blush at the thought.
In the kitchen Austin sat at the table drinking a cup of coffee. Spuds laid slices of ham in a large cast iron skillet. A basket of eggs sat on the counter nearby.
“Good morning.” She aimed a smile at Austin. Receiving one in return, she filled a cup with coffee and sipped the brew. “This range is not like the old one I used. Spuds, I’d like to help if you can tell me what needs to be done.”
“You two are supposed to be on your honeymoon. Reckon you can both take today off at least.”
Austin set down his cup. “I promised to show you around, Mina. Can you ride a horse?”
“English sidesaddle. Does that count?”
“Good that you know how to handle a horse. You’ll find our western saddles much more comfortable. Do you have britches to wear instead of or under your skirt?”
She shook her head. “I’ve heard of split skirts but I don’t have one yet. I sew and can make one as soon as I get fabric.”
Spuds turned around from the stove and gave Mina an assessing look. “You’re about the size around of a minute. I have a clean pair of britches I’ll loan you. If you cinch them tight so they don’t fall down you oughta be able to wear them.”
“Thank you, Spuds. If you don’t mind, I’ll accept your gracious offer.”
“Just in case, I left a pair on my bed. You just nip in there and get them and go on to your room and get into them.”
“I’ll hurry so I don’t hold up breakfast.” She rushed into Spuds’ room.
Sure enough, there was a pair of pants laid out on his bed. Before she left, she glanced around the room. It was as Spartan as a monk’s cell. If he didn’t mind, she’d make some upgrades. She had brought a brightly colored quilt in a log cabin design that had belonged to her grandfather the last couple of years of his life.
When she had donned the pants she tied them around her waist with a length of rope Spuds had included. She imagined she looked comical but she wanted to go riding with Austin.
She came back into the kitchen as Austin rang the meal triangle. Soon the three men who lived in the bunkhouse came stomping in. Each one wiped his feet before he came into the house. She’d be willing to wager Spuds had trained them.
When the men were seated at the table, she stood at her place.
